These small star blocks will be surrounding my snow person.The gold fabric I used is an older Robyn Pandolph fabric from her Folk Art Christmas collection, at the time she was with Moda.
Oh, how I love that line of fabric and am so careful as to how I use it. Since Robyn has moved to SSI, her colours and style are just not as attractive to me.
As I sew the tiny pieces that are required to make one block, I couldn't help but think of Libby and her love of small quilts.
For the star block, I am working with 1 1/2 inch squares and a 2 1/2 inch rectangle. As you know, the smaller the pieces, the greater the chance for inaccuracies. That's where my stiletto comes in.If you recall, I learnt how to use one in a class I took last Spring with Sharlene, Double Wedding ring. I will say, this little tool has come in handy. It makes sewing small pieces somewhat of a breeze. I do not have large fingers and I find it difficult to keep my pieces properly aligned. Even with larger pieces, I have found this tool useful.
I would recommend that you try working with a stiletto. It's less cumbersome than your fingers and it can also be used as a spare seam ripper. You know, those rare occasions where you made a mistake and can't find your seam ripper! lol
As I trim my pieces, I cannot help but wonder what Libby would make with these little left overs. She doesn't seem to waste any fabric!I'm sure she could think of a wonderful quilts to include them on! Oh Libby, how I admire your patience. Here I am having just 24 star blocks to do and I'm whining! lol
Prior to leaving on our camping trip, I received a wonderful surprise from my Friend Cheryl in Oz.Look at these beautiful Machine Embroidery magazines, aren't they delicious? Gosh, Oz makes such wonderful publications. Their illustrations are just awesome!
I can only hope that one day I will be able to master my embroidery machine and create such fine projects. Thank you again Cheryl, you are such a generous soul!
I do hope you are having a wonderful Labor Day weekend! The weather is gorgeous here in Upstate New York.
Enjoy your day and thank you for stopping by!
9 comments:
Ah yes, those rare occasions,lol.
I know them well.
Wonderful surprise in the mail....hope you holiday Monday went well.
I do LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those little blocks . . . but I have to admit that often, I toss those little leftover triangles. There must be an end to the madness *s* Okay, I have pieced them up in the past, but they are so doggoned hard to keep hold of. Now if I start using a stilleto . . .
I recognize the fabric. I have two fat quarter collections of the Folk Art Christmas, 2001 and 2002. Most of it I have used, I loved the colours and flowers and patterns on it. I must have really liked it - I have very little left :))
I have seen the stiletto used and I really would like to give it a try one day. Would any old sharp pointy thing work?
Love the little snow person -- so cute!!
I agree with the Australian magazines, they are great. I have never seen anyone use a stiletto, didn´t even know it did exist.
I've been meaning to try that stiletto trick. Love your magazines...I need to try some more embroidery too. My machine is a little lonely.
Yes, we are very lucky here in Australia with all the divine quilting publications. Quilting is growing all the time over here.
Leanne's right. Another magazine to look out for is called "Homespun". And I agree with you Carole about Robyn Pandolph fabrics - just not the same since she left Moda.
That gold just glows! No wonder you love it. Do post the finish quilt!
I use a stiletto, too, and don't understand why more people don't. Just took a class with Sally Collins (our guild brought her) and her techniques for working with tiny pieces are wonderful. You can use them on big pieces, too!
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